Orioles starter Chris Bassitt received a facet injection to his lower back on Friday from Dr. Thomas Tolli in St. Petersburg, Fla. He’s continuing his rehabilitation and beginning a throwing progression.

Bassitt went on the 15-day injured list on June 5 and is eligible to return on the 20th, which isn’t going to happen. But he’s making positive strides.

Bassitt has made 12 appearances (10 starts) with the Orioles and posted a 5.27 ERA and 1.633 WHIP.

Starter Dean Kremer (right quadriceps strain) threw a second live batting practice today in Sarasota and is expected to begin a rehab assignment with Triple-A Norfolk within the week. He’s been limited to two outings with the Orioles after they recalled him.

Outfielder Dylan Beavers (right oblique strain) is tentatively scheduled to begin his rehab assignment Thursday with Double-A Chesapeake. Pitcher Cade Povich (left elbow inflammation) threw live batting practice today in Sarasota and he’s tentatively scheduled to begin a rehab assignment within the week with Chesapeake.

Reliever Yaramil Hiraldo (right shoulder inflammation) has been throwing in the bullpen and is expected to engage in his first live batting practice session on Friday.

The Orioles begin a three-city West Coast trip with a 34-39 record that leaves them 10 ½ games out of first place heading into the night and 2 ½ out of the Wild Card.

They’re 12-20 on the road. Their 5.52 ERA away from home is the second-highest mark in the majors after the Twins’ 5.67.

The 5.52 road ERA would be the sixth highest in team history and the highest since the 2021 Orioles had a 5.69 ERA away from home.

Blaze Alexander is at third base again tonight. Alexander leads all major league players in a minimum 100 plate appearances with a .389 average since the start of May. Before that month, he was hitting .177 to rank 243rd out of 261 with at least 70 plate appearances, according to STATS.

Alexander is batting .375 (21-for-56) after a 1-0 count.

Samuel Basallo is the designated hitter. Colton Cowser is in center field and Leody Taveras is in right. Jackson Holliday is the second baseman.

Pete Alonso has recorded at least one RBI in 14 consecutive series, the longest active streak in the majors. It’s also his longest career single-season streak.

The Orioles have belted 42 home runs since May 16, tied for third most in the majors behind the Athletics (45) and Astros (43). Their 341 hits since May 3 are tied with the Athletics for second most in the majors behind the Giants (370). The 192 runs are tied with the White Sox for the American League lead and are tied for fourth in the majors behind the Nationals (222), Dodgers (219) and Brewers (200).

Brandon Young has a team-best 3.04 ERA in 10 starts, the last four quality. He faced the Mariners on Wednesday and shut them out on two hits over seven innings, retiring 12 in a row after Cole Young singled with one out in the third.

The Orioles are 9-1 in his starts.

Mariners right-hander Logan Gilbert faced the Orioles last Tuesday and held them to one run and three hits in six innings. He has a 3.62 ERA this season in 14 starts.

Gilbert owns a 2.92 ERA in four starts versus the Orioles. Taveras is 2-for-19 with two homers. Gunnar Henderson is 1-for-11 with a double and five strikeouts. Taylor Ward is 7-for-25 with a double, home run and eight strikeouts.

Catcher Cal Raleigh is returning to the Mariners after being out since May 13 with a right oblique strain. Infielder J.P. Crawford also was reinstated from the injured list.

Outfielder Randy Arozarena is a career .309/.363/.552 hitter against the Orioles, with 10 doubles, a triple, 17 home runs and 50 RBIs in 67 games.

Seattle is only one game above .500 but began the night in first place, a half-game ahead of the Athletics. The Mariners have dropped four of their last five, a streak that began with back-to-back losses against the Orioles at Camden Yards.

The Mariners are 14-9 in series openers.

The Orioles have won or tied seven consecutive series against the Mariners dating back to June 2023. They swept a three-game set at T-Mobile Park last season and have won seven of eight there since Aug. 12, 2023. Prior to that stretch, they were 6-17 in Seattle from Aug.11, 2015-Aug. 11, 2023.

For the Orioles
Taylor Ward LF
Gunnar Henderson SS
Adley Rutschman C
Pete Alonso 1B
Samuel Basallo DH
Leody Taveras RF
Colton Cowser CF
Blaze Alexander 3B
Jackson Holliday 2B

Brandon Young RHP

For the Mariners
J.P. Crawford 3B
Cal Raleigh C
Julio Rodríguez CF
Dominic Canzone RF
Rob Refsnyder DH
Cole Young 2B
Victor Robles LF
Colt Emerson SS
Miles Mastrobuoni 1B

Logan Gilbert RHP

Kyle Bradish opposes George Kirby on Wednesday.